The
National Agricultural Law Center and the American Agricultural Law Association
are co-sponsoring a webinar titled, “Enforcing
Animal Welfare Statutes: Whose Job Is
It, Anyway?” The program will be
held Oct. 10, 2013 from 12-1 p.m. (CDT).
The program has been approved for 60 minutes continuing legal
education credit in Arkansas, and Center staff will gladly work with attorneys in
other states to have the CLE approved in other states. The cost for CLE is $95. For more information about the program or to
register, click here.
The written materials for the CLE will discuss states' applicable laws, which is a very valuable resource.
Authority to enforce animal welfare laws has been delegated to
private citizens involved with humane organizations since the 1880s, when the
majority of those statutes were originally passed. Currently, over half of the
states and the District of Columbia grant some form of law enforcement power to
members or officers of humane societies. The authority ranges from the power to
arrest to the ability to seize and destroy private property. In some cases, it includes
the right to carry a firearm– even, in one state, as a convicted felon– while
engaging in law enforcement activities.
After a brief history of
the statutory scheme, this presentation will discuss the states that delegate
authority to private citizens involved in humane societies, the specific
authority that is given to these individuals and an overview of liability
concerns that may present themselves as a result of the delegation.
To learn more about the American Agricultural Law Association, including its upcoming 34th Annual Conference (Oct. 31 - Nov. 2) in Madison, Wisconsin, click here.
